The Sugar Cane Growers Council (SCGC) has formally opposed a Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC) proposal to close tramline operations serving Rarawai Mill in Tavua, Ba and the Lautoka Mill, a move FSC says would take effect from the 2026 crushing season. The dispute is now before the Sugar Industry Tribunal (SIT), and the Council says it is awaiting the tribunal’s direction before any final decision is made.
In a statement, the SCGC said the proposal had sparked serious concern among cane growers who rely on tramlines as a core part of the island’s cane transport system. “Tramlines have been part of the cane transport system for generations and continue to provide an important service, especially in areas where road access and transport options are limited,” the Council said, urging that any decision be made from the grower’s perspective rather than solely on operational efficiency or short-term cost savings.
SCGC chief executive officer Mr Dutt warned the impact on growers could be substantial. “For growers, this is not a simple operational adjustment. It directly affects cost, access, harvesting readiness, and delivery security,” he said, stressing that growers in remote and marginal areas would feel the greatest strain. Mr Dutt noted that forced reliance on lorry cartage would mean longer travel distances, higher transport charges and the risk of delivery delays during peak crushing periods when road transport capacity is already stretched.
The Council is demanding a full cost‑benefit analysis to assess the true financial impact on growers, FSC and the broader sugar industry before any tramline closures proceed. SCGC is also seeking explicit assurances that any additional costs arising from a closure would not be passed on to growers, and has called for robust, inclusive consultations with those directly affected by the change.
As an alternative to full closure, the SCGC has suggested exploring measures to make tramline operations more efficient and cost‑effective. Among the ideas put forward is modifying tramline logistics to transport billet cane in cage bins — a change the Council says could improve handling efficiency and reduce costs while maintaining the service for growers who have limited road access.
Tramlines have historically been an integral component of cane logistics in Fiji’s western mills, providing low-cost, reliable movement of harvested cane from remote blocks to mills. The Council warned that removing that option risks increasing cartage costs across the board and placing further pressure on a finite lorry fleet, which could in turn affect harvesting schedules and mill throughput during the concentrated crushing season.
No final decision has been announced. The matter remains before the Sugar Industry Tribunal, which will consider submissions and direct any next steps. The SCGC said it will continue to represent growers’ interests at the tribunal and encouraged growers to remain informed and to participate in any forthcoming consultations as the matter develops.